My Ethiopian Send-Off

Trip Start Jan 10, 2006

Trip End Jun 02, 2006

Loading Map

Map your own trip!

Flag of Ethiopia Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Wednesday, May 17, 2006

I left Shashamane with many hugs and big ups. The thought of returning made it a happy farewell. I caught a ride to the capital with some of the Twelve Tribes elders, so the ride was smooth.

I went to the post office in Addis Ababa to try and send a box of Ethiopian goodies to the U.S. They wanted almost $100 to send just under 6 kilos. I'll have to carry them. I had more treasures to find in Addis anyway.

I went to one of the big orthodox churches to buy some frankincense. I had to try the local honey wine, called tej. It was rich, thick and strong; it had way more honey than the meads I've tried. It was hard to drink a lot. I'm sure it could make you well sick if you did. It was good mixed with ambo water, a locally bottled fizzy mineral spring water. I also got a full dose of chat my last night in Ethiopia. Bumzy asked me to write her report on the subject of design, so I chewed chat and wrote my heart out for a few hours. I think chat gives the same feeling as drinking 10 espressos. It wasn't as pleasant as some say.

I realized that I never photographed the injera. You'll have to go to your local Ethiopian restaurant to get a taste, though they will probably add wheat flour to the tef. I never got photos of my host family either (except Bumzy), nor churches or palaces. Maybe next time.

I got to see some of Bumzy's homies and her mom before I left. They reminded me that there's a place for me in Ethiopia and blessed my journey.